C21Media:

C21's Hitmakers USA 2008 brought together top-level US entertainment executives with the UK and international production community to discuss new programming opportunities and partnership models.

C21's Hitmakers USA was a coproduction workshop designed to foster closer ties and more deals between the US and the international creative community with a series of keynote interviews and interactive sessions.

Featuring key speakers:


	David Lyle President Fox Reality	Daniel Hetzer VP programming & coproduction Fox Television Studios	John Saade SVP alternative series, specials and late-night ABC Entertainment

Participants included:
Click on the links below to read the speakers' biographies
Thom Beers, CEO and executive producer, Original Productions
Katie Buchanan, VP, programming and acquisitions,
The Style Network
John Ferriter, executive VP, worldwide head of non-scripted television, William Morris Agency (UK)
Phil Gurin, president and CEO, The Gurin Company
Mary Ellen Iwata, VP of programme and talent development, HGTV
Gary Lico, co-founder and CEO, CableReady and CableU
John Morayniss, CEO and chairman, Blueprint Entertainment
Judith Orlowski, VP development & acquisitions, Fine Living
Chris Philip, president worldwide sales and distribution, Power
Howard Schultz, president, Lighthearted Entertainment
Carrie Stein, CEO, Alchemy

Click here to view the full agenda of sessions, including:

What are the US networks' current programming requirements?
How to coproduce effectively with the US.
What's hot on US Television and what do channels want from the international market?
How to package a hit.
Maximising Value in the US.
The A-Z of Successful Pitching.
How to make the most of relationships.
The Anatomy of a Deal - what works and how do you put the pieces together correctly.

An A-list of top US television executives discussed their programming strategies and met UK and international producers and channels with a view to developing new programming initiatives together.

During the day there was an overview of US Cable Network Programming Strategies from LA-based CableU, an information service that monitors and analyses cable network performance and programming trends to give networks and producers a unique competitive advantage.

A series of Case Studies of US Success delved deep inside the deal structures and creative models that have seen international producers develop business in America.

The event, in the heart of London, provided a unique opportunity for producers and channel executives from the international market to see what's working in US television.

Hollywood execs were on hand to outline how best to approach the market, and ratings and scheduling experts outlined the programming opportunities and potential ways into the market.

The US networks and cable channels are more open than ever to the prospect of collaboration. From the recent pick-up of BBC/Power's Crusoe by NBC to adaptations of Israeli dramas and new reality from Endemol and RDF, the doors are open.

Who attended:

Producers looking to develop new projects with US channel partners.
Rights owners looking to sell finished programming to cable and free-to-air networks.
Heads of programming and development at UK and international channels looking for US partners.
Distributors and broadcasters aiming to develop closer ties with US channels.
Anyone serious about doing business in the US.

Another Great Value Event from C21Media

To see previous and other C21Live events click here

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